Howdy folks. I’ve been a “lurker” of all things atheist for over a year now - listening to Point of Inquiry, American Freethought, Secular Nation & other podcasts - and I’ve been hearing the advertisements for Audible.com, and the “free” download available to PoI listeners.
I totally agree with screaminscott in post#22 of this thread. Audible’s business practices makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The fact that you are required to give your billing information for a “free” service does not sit well with me. And the fact that you have to pay for the service at all does not sit well with me either. I do not pay Borders a membership fee to be able to shop in their store - whay should I pay Audible? If Borders can sell a print book for $39.95 and make money on it, why can’t Audible sell an audio book for $39.95 and make money on it? Why do they have to charge another service fee?? The more I think about it the more infuriated I get.
What a disappointment, after all the time & effort I spent thinking about what would be the best book to listen to for my first experience with an audio book, only to find out that the game was rigged. Seriously - for those of you who purchase a couple books a month, maybe it is worth the monthly fee, but what if I only purchase 2 or 3 books a year? They’re still going to charge me once a month whether or not I buy a book? I think that is outrageous! (Yes, I feel the same way about Sam’s Club.)
Paying someone for the priveledge of spending my money in their establishment? I don’t think so.
I answered Audible’s feedback questionnaire after opting out of the registration - I will be really surprised if they bother to follow up on my complaint.
Oh, and a note to the producers of Point of Inquiry - you may want to consider being a bit more clear about what is required to obtain the “free” audio book download. Maybe future listeners who are forewarned won’t be so surprised and disappointed when they encounter this snag.
I’m sorry that my first post is a negative one. I had always envisioned my first contact with CFI would be a positive one.
